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TODAY'S VIDEO
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TODAY'S ADVENTURE
Family Fun in Bellevue: Top 5 Things to Do in Bellevue With KidsIf you’re searching for a wonderful place for a family vacation, then look to Bellevue, Washington. The city offers children’s museums, parks, and attractions for the entire family. Located across Lake Washington from Seattle, Bellevue also offers an amazing view of Mount Rainier and the Seattle skyline. Five of the best things to do for families in Bellevue, Washington. Take a look at this article to learn all about things to do in Bellevue.
There is no shortage of places to stay in Bellevue. Affordable hotels, many within walking distance of family-friendly activities, offer clean, safe, and budget-conscious places to stay. So, pack up the family and head to the Pacific Northwest.
Related Read: Top Things to Do in Seattle With Kids
Image via Flickr by nicwn
Located at Factoria Mall, KidsQuest offers activities for kids of all ages. It’s an interactive and hands-on museum that explores science, technology, engineering, art, and math. The littlest ones in the family can check out the Backyard area with tactile exhibits that encourage young explorers. The family-oriented Garage area lets both children and adults explore the world of science. This is the perfect place for a day of fun.
For kids who are into sports, Rough House Sports is the place to be. This spot claims to have the region’s best Nerf Combat Zone, where kids battle each other with Nerf shooters for endless competition. The venue also offers a Ninja Obstacle Course and Black Light Dodgeball. The batting cages offer a tamer activity, plus a there’s a nice lounge area with free Wi-Fi for parents.
Recommended Read: 4 of the Best Things to Do in Washington
Just minutes from downtown Bellevue, Mercer Slough Nature Park is the perfect place for a day-long family adventure. The park sits on 320 acres of forests and freshwater wetlands. You can bike and hike the many trails, or rent a canoe and travel down the river. On Saturdays, the park gives free guided tours of some of the 170 species of wildlife. On warm days, take a picnic and enjoy lunch on the lawn outside the historic Winters House, which was built in 1929.
Built in the 1930s, Kelsey Creek Park and Farm offers a look back in time with large barns, rolling fields, and white fencing. Lots of animals call the farm home, including ponies, sheep, goats, chickens, pigs, and rabbits. Take a tour with Farmer Jayne to enjoy hands-on experiences with the animals. Numerous picnic tables invite families to enjoy a meal outside. The best part is that Kelsey Creek Park and Farm is entirely free.
Set on 2.5 acres on Lake Washington, Meydenbauer Beach Park is Bellevue’s hidden jewel. A leaf-covered path leads the way to a gorgeous horseshoe bay and wide-open grassy areas. The park offers picnic areas and playgrounds. In the summer, you’ll find places to play volleyball, too. There are swim areas, Frisbee fields, and a wharf for fishing. No matter the time of year, this park offers beautiful scenery for the whole family to enjoy.
Related post: Spy Museum Washington DC – Is It Worth the Visit?
If a family vacation is in the plans, look at Bellevue, Washington. The city is brimming with activities for children and adults. Have a wonderful time!
The post Family Fun in Bellevue: Top 5 Things to Do in Bellevue With Kids appeared first on Travel Experta - Travel, Lifestyle, Freedom.
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By: Marina 'Travel Experta'
Title: Family Fun in Bellevue: Top 5 Things to Do in Bellevue With Kids
Sourced From: travelexperta.com/family-fun-bellevue-top-5-things-bellevue-kids/
Published Date: Wed, 25 May 2022 12:51:33 +0000
HOSTED BY: 1 AIR TRAVEL
Raise your hand if you’ve heard this one before: It’s going to be a crowded summer on the roads, in the air and at attractions. Yup, that’s a sea of hands I see out there.
As part of the travel surge, you’re going to need to plan ahead for those “must visit” places on your travel list by reserving and purchasing timed-entry tickets. We’re not just talking about theme park and national park reservations, although you’ll need those, too. We’re also seeing everything from African wildlife parks capping visitors to timed tickets to see waterfalls in the Pacific Northwest.
Add reservation requirements for popular attractions from the Washington Monument to Machu Picchu, and you’ll start to get the picture about how tight admission will be when you head out this summer.
These are the most popular tourist spots that still have availability. You’ll need to book in advance for the summer’s most popular attractions if you don’t want to get left out in the cold during the hottest months.
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One of the highlights of visiting Portland is exploring the natural areas that surround the funky Pacific Northwest gem. The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area is one of the most popular daytrips from the city; it’s a series of misty, rushing waterfalls that make you feel like you’ve stepped into the rainforest even though you just left the city. However, this area has become so popular that the U.S. Forest Service just implemented a timed-use permit system for summer (May 24 to Sept. 5) to access the Waterfall Corridor between Bridal Veil and Ainsworth. Plus, you’ll need a pass to visit the most popular waterfall of all: Multnomah Falls.
The one-hour timed-arrival slots can be booked up to two weeks in advance online. For same-day permits, a limited number will be available in person (no fee) at the Gateway to the Gorge Visitor Center in Troutdale and Cascade Locks Historical Museum. While the reservation isn’t very expensive — it’s just $2 — note that the USFS says that a timed-use permit does not guarantee a parking spot. There is one workaround, however: If you arrive via bike, public transportation or with a guided tour group, you won’t need a timed-entry spot.
If you’re spending time in the nation’s capital this summer, it might help to download a planning app and set a timer since many of D.C.’s top attractions require timed-entry tickets. To ascend the Washington Monument, you’ll need to plan months in advance: Timed-entry tickets are released on a daily rolling basis 90 days in advance of the desired tour date. The same 90-day booking window also applies to the U.S. Capitol and the National Archives Museum.
For the National Museum of African American History and Culture, visitors can reserve timed-entry passes up to 30 days in advance on a rolling basis. We were able to find weekday availability for the month ahead, but no weekend time slots. If you didn’t plan ahead, you can try getting a same-day, timed-entry pass, released online only at 8:15 a.m. ET daily.
To live in New York City is to deal with crowds, especially at some of the most popular attractions. In some ways, timed-entry tickets are helpful, so you won’t spend precious vacation time schlepping across the city just to discover a place has reached capacity. Attractions such as viewing platforms fill up quickly, and or there’s sometimes an hourslong wait for the ferry to the Statue of Liberty. One of the attractions you should book before visiting is Summit One Vanderbilt, the mirrored and immersive observation deck 1,400 feet above the city, which requires timed entry. (While there’s usually availability for daytime tickets, sunset sells out in advance.)
Two outdoor favorites in the Big Apple that you might not think need timed reservations are important to note here as well: The Highline, the city’s raised walkway along the West Side’s Meatpacking and Chelsea neighborhoods, has instituted a timed-pass system between noon and 6 p.m. for weekends and summer holidays. Weekend reservations will be in place through the end of September, and passes are released every Monday for dates two weeks in advance. And at New York City’s newest park, Little Island on the Hudson River, you’ll also need a timed reservation for peak summer hours May 12 to Sept. 19, Thursday to Sunday (and holidays) from noon to closing.
If you’ve tried to visit any of the country’s most popular national parks in the last few years, you’ve probably encountered timed-reservation systems during the summer.
Glacier National Park has a timed-reservation system in place for the spectacular Going-to-the-Sun Road. Yosemite National Park requires advance reservations for day-use access to the park. This is also the case for Rocky Mountain National Park, which introduced a temporary timed-entry system last summer. Arches National Park also introduced a timed-entry system for 2022 which is in effect from April 3 to Oct. 3; it applies to day-use visitors between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Related: Visiting a national park this summer? Better plan ahead
Prior to the pandemic, you could purchase a ticket and just show up at the gates of whichever Disney World park you planned to visit that day. Now, there’s no way in without a reservation for a specific park, and sellouts are a very regular occurrence, especially in the summer.
If you’re planning on visiting Mickey, the most important thing to know is that you need to make a Park Pass reservation as soon as you know your travel dates and buy your tickets. Do not wait until a week or two before your trip to do this step, as it may be too late.
Additionally, park-hopping doesn’t begin until 2 p.m., so you’ll be stuck with the park you select to start at until midafternoon. This is important to note as you plan your days.
Related: It’s a changed world after all: 9 things you must know if you’re heading to Disney World
Timed-entry concerns aren’t just limited to U.S. destinations. If you’ve been planning a bucket list trip to East Africa, you’ll want to keep a careful eye on the visitor caps implemented in some of the world’s most popular wildlife parks. According to Business Daily, Maasai Mara, Amboseli and Nairobi national parks will not allow more visitors than the monthly capacity of 32,000, 13,0000 and 10,000, respectively.
The number of visitors, both local and nonresident, will be monitored by an online ticketing and digital payment system that the Kenya Wildlife Service plans to roll out across all national parks and reserves.
Featured photo by AnaBGD/Getty Images.
TODAY'S ADVENTURE
Ways in Which Alcohol Rehab Can Help You in Your Recovery from AddictionIf you are battling alcohol addiction and looking for solutions to help you recover, there is no better option than an alcohol rehab. Anyone suffering from alcohol addiction will benefit from treatment. People who desire to recover will benefit from the healing atmosphere of rehabilitation by receiving the assistance they require for a successful recovery. The following are some of how an alcohol rehab can help a person recover from an addiction.
Rehab does not consist of just one person in the entire facility but of many who live together and discover methods to help each other. An alcohol rehab center is a location where individuals will be in a safe and caring community encircled by others who truly understand what someone is dealing with. Peer support is an important aspect of treatment for long-term recovery.
Numerous rehab programs offer multiple possibilities to express thoughts and feelings in rehabilitation through discussion activities and team sessions and build a support system. A peer support network will provide responsibility and support and allow you to assist others in their sober path.
One of the key reasons people opt to go there to recover from their alcohol addiction is the personalized program. Serenity Oaks rehab in Fort Lauderdale offers treatment programs that emphasize developing daily activities based on the needs of the individuals consisting of constructive activities and counseling meetings to assist patients in staying engaged and removing distractions.
There are also designated pauses and events when people can sit, speak, and unwind over the day. They can express their thoughts, learn about others’ feelings, and help others cope with the situation.
Effective therapy can lower a person’s risk of relapsing and assist them in getting back to normal if he relapses. When it comes to the medical approach, medically-assisted detoxification helps a person clear their body of intoxicants in a secure atmosphere. This is advantageous as alcohol discontinuation can result in painful or life-threatening bodily effects.
However, because detox doesn’t really address the basic behavioral factors of addiction, it is usually used in conjunction with other treatments to keep persons cognitively strong and functional. There are other kinds of therapies, too, such as Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Contingency Management, and Motivational Interviewing, among many, each with a different benefit and a purpose of use on the individual.
Individuals in an alcohol rehab program receive the medical care they require at any time of day, night, or early morning. This is especially true for inpatient rehab facilities that provide services to patients round the clock. Individuals in therapy are prone to a range of health complications quickly after discontinuing the use of alcohol. Therefore, this can be incredibly important for avoiding relapse in those with strong cravings.
Even when withdrawal symptoms have subsided, the burden on physical and mental health can exacerbate other health disorders. Therefore, alcohol rehab can make the individuals feel at ease as they work their way back to sobriety with continual care.
Most people believe that alcohol rehab is a facility where alcoholics are mistreated to bring them back on track. However, the whole truth about how things work is always neglected. Alcohol rehab is a center that uses the right tools and strategies to help persons in need. They provide a safe atmosphere and ongoing medical assistance to those who are experiencing medical issues during their sober journey. Therefore, it is somewhat better to work in a team instead of working on it alone.
The post Ways in Which Alcohol Rehab Can Help You in Your Recovery from Addiction appeared first on Travel Experta - Travel, Lifestyle, Freedom.
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By: Marina 'Travel Experta'
Title: Ways in Which Alcohol Rehab Can Help You in Your Recovery from Addiction
Sourced From: travelexperta.com/ways-in-which-alcohol-rehab-can-help-you-in-your-recovery-from-addiction/
Published Date: Tue, 24 May 2022 23:40:00 +0000
HOSTED BY: 1 AIR TRAVEL
Nowadays many premium credit cards (with steep annual fees) have travel credits of some sort, which can help offset the annual fee. In this post I wanted to rank these credits based on their ease of use, and also discuss why card issuers offer these credits to begin with.
One common question is why many premium credit cards have annual travel credits, rather than just having lower annual fees. For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (review) has a $550 annual fee and offers a $300 annual travel credit. So why doesn’t Chase just get rid of the travel credit and lower the annual fee to $250? There are a few reasons:
Card issuers don’t want to cannibalize their own card portfolio, as issuers go after different consumers with different price points; for example, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (review) has a $95 annual fee, so a major annual fee difference is one way to differentiate these products, even if much of that fee can easily be recoupedIssuers want people to love their cards and have them at the front of their wallets; a travel credit makes it more likely that you’ll spend money on the card and keep it readily available, especially with an easy to use travel creditThere’s often some breakage on these credits; probably not much with the Chase Sapphire Reserve, but for those credits that are harder to use, there are definitely a lot of people who don’t use their credits
With the above out of the way, let me rank the travel credits offered by some of the most popular premium credit cards. This ranking is based on how easily the credits can be used, rather than how big they are.
First I’ll be listing the “generic” credits (not specific to just one travel brand), and then I’ll be listing the brand-specific credits. Also note that I’ll only be listing cards that are open to new cardmembers, so this excludes products like the Citi Prestige Card.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® (review) offers a $300 annual travel credit:
This is offered every cardmember yearThere’s no registration required to use itThe credit will automatically apply toward any purchase coded as travel, including flights, hotels, rental cars, rideshares, taxis, trains, and moreIt doesn’t get easier than using the Chase Sapphire Reserve travel credit, as this is truly “no strings attached.”
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (review) offers a $300 annual travel credit:
This is offered every cardmember yearThere’s no registration required to use itThe credit can only be used through the Capital One Travel Portal, when paying with the card, including for flights, hotels, and rental carsWhile not as straightforward as the credit on the Chase Sapphire Reserve, I still find find this to be easy enough to use. I simply book a $300+ flight each year through the portal, and that gets reimbursed.
The Platinum Card® from American Express (review) offers a $200 annual hotel credit (this isn’t available on the business version of the card):
This is offered every calendar yearThis is only valid for pre-paid hotel stays booked through Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts (no minimum stay) or The Hotel Collection (two night minimum stay required)There’s no registration required, but rather this will automatically be applied toward the first eligible transactionWhile there are some limitations in terms of the types of hotels you can book, the credit is otherwise really easy to use.
The Platinum Card® from American Express (review) and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (review) each offer a $200 annual airline fee credit:
This is offered every calendar yearCardmembers must register with a designated airline each year, with the choice of Alaska, American, Delta, Frontier, Hawaiian, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit, and UnitedThe credit is intended to be used for airline fees, and excludes airline tickets, upgrades, mileage points purchases, gift cards, duty free purchases, and award ticketsWhile I manage to max this out every year, I do find this to be the most difficult airline travel credit to use, given the need to designate an airline, plus the restrictions on redemptions.
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express Card (review) offers a $300 annual Marriott statement credit:
This is offered every cardmember yearThere’s no registration required to use itThe credit will automatically apply toward your first $300 in spending at any eligible Marriott property globallyThis credit is really easy to use, as long as you spend at least $300 per year at Marriott properties (and if you don’t this probably isn’t the card for you). You can apply this toward room rates, a meal, a spa treatment, parking, and more.
The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card (review) offers a $250 annual Hilton resort statement credit:
This is offered every cardmember yearThere’s no registration required to use itThe credit will automatically apply toward your first $250 in spending at any eligible Hilton resort globally (this only includes resorts and not hotels, and you can find all resorts at this page)This credit is easy to use, with the major restriction being that it’s only valid at resorts, and not non-resort hotels. So it’s a bit more restrictive than the Marriott credit, which applies at hotels and resorts.
Nowadays many premium credit cards offer annual travel credits. This is a way for card issuers to give cardmembers value, and encourage people to keep cards front-of-wallet. While I think there’s value to be had from all credits, not all credits are created equal, as you can tell. Hopefully the above is a useful rundown of the relative value of these credits.
Which credit card annual travel credits have you used?
TODAY'S ADVENTURE
Diving in Oahu: The Most Impressive Dive Sites To ExperienceHawaii scuba diving is definitely an adventure and most people that want to visit will want to go scuba diving in Oahu. That is because of the great accommodations available and the fact that there are so many interesting opportunities present for divers of many different skill levels. Oahu has a truly wonderful list of available cascading reefs and over 600 tropical fish species. Everything is perfectly complemented with sunken shipwreck dives and even lava tube caves. Diving in Oahu is a must-do activity while in the area, especially for adventure lovers. Here is a list of the top places to go to.
While there are so many interesting options that are available for those that are interested in scuba diving in Oahu, those that are normally considered as being the best are the following:
• Kahuna Canyon – Here you can see many rising walls that come straight from the depths of the ocean, offering a perfect descent into the Hawaiian underwater Grand Canyon. Mahi – Considered by many as the number one shipwreck diving site available in Oahu, one that has to be visited by those interested in such an activity. Sea Cove – A great scuba diving spot for those that are interested in seeing reef sharks. The option is present in Oahu’s south shore, quite close to Hanauma Bay, so they should be considered together. Three Tables – You can find this close to Sharks Cove. The location is particularly popular, one of the most attractive for tourists on the North Shore. The name is given by 3 enormous flat rucks running right out of the water. You obviously have a great drop-off wall that you can experience. Corsair Plane – Another wonderful wreck diving site, allowing you to visit a plane from World War 2. Sharks Cove – A lava playground that is rocky and filled with much beautiful fish, not just sharks as the name would have you believe.
Visiting Oahu for the first time is a delight for every single person that is interested in scuba diving. This is normally because of the great atmosphere present and the fact that people of all ages are finding wonderful diving sites that they enjoy. However, you do want to remember the fact that it is imperative to find a good scuba diving guide for your first visit. Many of the sites that you can dive at require you to be PADI licensed. If you are not, you need to go to an Oahu scuba diving class. Choose a school that is highly experienced and that has very good online reviews.
The last thing that we should mention about scuba diving in Oahu is that you absolutely have to be 100% sure that you are going to be safe. Safety is always important in scuba diving and some of the spots that you can visit in the region are quite dangerous. Because of this, make sure that you learn all that you can about diving in any part of Oahu. Do talk to the guides and respect everything that they say for that perfect diving experience.
The post Diving in Oahu: The Most Impressive Dive Sites To Experience appeared first on Travel Experta - Travel, Lifestyle, Freedom.
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By: Marina 'Travel Experta'
Title: Diving in Oahu: The Most Impressive Dive Sites To Experience
Sourced From: travelexperta.com/oahu-dive-sites/
Published Date: Wed, 25 May 2022 11:50:12 +0000
HOSTED BY: 1 AIR TRAVEL
If you’ve always wanted to go to Fiji, consider this your sign to do so.
Round-trip flights from Los Angeles, San Francisco and Honolulu are available by booking directly with Fiji Airways for less than $700, including for travel over the Thanksgiving holiday.
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Airline: Fiji Airways. Routes: Los Angeles; Hilo, Hawaii; Honolulu; Kahului, Hawaii; Lihue, Hawaii; San Francisco; and San Jose, California, to Nadi, Fiji. How to book: Browse Google Flights and book directly through the airline. Travel dates: August-November 2022, including some Thanksgiving availability, and January-April 2023. Book by: One-two days.
Thank you to Scott’s Cheap Flights for sending us this deal. Sign up for a Premium membership — which users can try for free for 14 days or $49 per year — and get deals up to 90% off. You can also upgrade to the Elite tier for $199 per year and receive all the Premium deals plus premium economy, business-class and first-class alerts.
This deal includes the below round-trip flights to Nadi International Airport (NAN) from eight cities between Hawaii and California:
From Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), starting at $598.From Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO), starting at $698.From Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC), starting at $776.From Lihue Airport (LIH), starting at $826.From Kahului Airport (OGG), starting at $836.From San Diego International Airport (SAN), starting at $841.From Hilo International Airport (ITO), starting at $846.To search this deal, head to Google Flights and enter your desired point of departure.
However, note that the lowest-priced flights from Hilo, Kahului, Lihue, San Diego and San Jose as advertised on Google Flights are only available if you book through a third party, such as Priceline, Flyus.com or eDreams.
If you decide to go this route, be sure to double-check the terms and conditions of the booking site and fare type. Whenever possible, we recommend booking through the airline directly for maximum flexibility in case you have to change your plans after booking or encounter issues with the flight down the line.
Read more: Fiji reopening on Dec. 1 to vaccinated Americans
For those who would prefer to book directly, consider doing so through Fiji Airways, which offers flights for just less than $700 from LA and San Francisco and less than $600 from Honolulu.
For example, you could spend Thanksgiving in Fiji by booking this Fiji Airways flight from LAX to NAN on Nov. 21 and returning on Nov. 28 for $698 round-trip — the cheapest fare available for this route and these dates.
This flight is for the carrier’s Economy Sale fare, which offers most of the same benefits as the airline’s Economy and Economy Flexi fares; it allows passengers one full-size carry-on bag and a checked bag. This ticket and Economy fare types are nonrefundable, but ticket changes are permitted up to 24 hours prior to departure for a $100 fee, plus any change in the new fare price.
Honolulu-based fliers could also get a Fiji Airways deal for the same week for $598. Both of these flights are for the Economy Sale fare type, so the same fare rules apply.
Related: 5 Fiji resorts for families where the kids clubs — and even private nannies — are included
As always, book your flight using a credit card that earns bonus points on airfare purchases, including The Platinum Card® from American Express (5 points per dollar on airfare booked directly with the airline or through American Express Travel, on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year), the Citi Prestige® Card for 5 points per dollar on airfare, the Citi Premier® Card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve (both 3 points per dollar on airfare), the American Express® Gold Card (3 points per dollar on airfare when booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel) and the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card for 2 points per dollar on travel.
Check out TPG’s guide to the best credit cards to use to book flights.
The information for the Citi Prestige Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Flights to Fiji on these routes normally range from $1,200 to $1,400 round-trip, which makes Fiji Airways’ flights from LA, San Francisco and Honolulu nearly half off.
Consider these flights if Fiji has been on your travel bucket list.
Read more: Financially feasible Fiji: How to plan a trip to Fiji without breaking the bank
Featured photo by Holger Leue/Getty Images.
